Propaguapa: Rage visualized, hope amplified

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PROPAGUAPA is rage visualized and hope amplified. This exhibition/body of artworks by N.M. Cabangbang is a direct hit on the flawed system that unnecessarily burdens many of us; the system that forces us to abandon our human side to reach the top of the economic pyramid and basks in its offer of temporal happiness and material satisfaction.

The artworks comprised a visual story told in the most understandable language – poverty is everywhere and we must work together to address it.

Poverty is as bad as in “Pieta of the Slums.” Poverty is systemic, worsened by the systematic plunder of resources, and perpetuated in history as expressed in the three versions of “Itak sa Puso ni Mang Juan”, a tribute to the watercolor painting of the same title by Ilonggo artist, Antipas Delotavo, made in 1978.

Propaguapa’s “Hustisya” and “Simbahan” attack the institutions that pledged to “feed the hungry” “give drink to the thirsty” and “bring justice to all” but are silent to the pressing ills of the communities.

But humans hope. And hope results in resistance.

Resistance is the defiance of a race cornered to die from artificial hunger; it is the last resort of humans forced to suffer because of neglect and bottomless greed. Filipinos are not new to greed and neglect; thus, it is not surprising that resistance are also our nation’s historical turning points – babaylanes revolt, Philippine Revolution, Filipino-American War, EDSA I, EDSA Dos, and the most recent ones – the violent youth-led protests in Mendiola. Resistance across historical timelines is mostly visualized in Cabangbang’s “Katipunero/Katipunera” and “Tankman” series.

The artist and the artworks are not apologetic. It did not take shelter in the comfort of artistic techniques and freedom that often hides the truth in subtle visuals. It is megaphoning the call to “rage against the system” and “be your own hero” like in “Molotov Madre”, “Liberation Theology”, and “Superman/Supergirl” series.

And when all else fails, this race will have no choice but to go back to the primal instinct of surviving like “Ceasar” in “Katipunero – Planet of the Apes”.

N.M.Cabangbang is a Cebuano artist-educator. Propaguapa, a portmanteau of “propaganda” and “guapa” is his recently concluded exhibition in Cebu, which can also be viewed via Instragram at art_kabangbang. Cebu is facing two recent disasters – the 6.9 magnitude earthquake last September 2025, and the most recent, typhoon “Tino” this Nov. 4, 2025. The massive flooding that submerged communities and damaged properties exposed the flaws in governance, law enforcement, and resources extraction, which if not addressed will further aggravate the already deplorable condition of communities exposed to natural hazards. (MADe los Santos)